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T Faria, Anatomy - Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
F Brasil, Anatomy - Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
F Sampaio, Anatomy - Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
C Ramos, Anatomy - Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Correspondence: Tatiane Faria, Email: tsfaria{at}gmail.com

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to evaluate if maternal malnutrition during lactation alters the folliculogenesis and the expression of the gonadotropins and estrogen isoforms ovarian receptors in the offspring at puberty. At parturition, dams were randomly assigned to the following groups: (C) control group, with free access to a standard laboratory diet containing 23% protein; and (PER) protein-energy-restricted, with free access to an iso-energy and protein-restricted diet containing 8% protein. After weaning, the female pups had free access to standard laboratory diet. The maternal malnutrition caused a significant increase in the number of preantral (C=13.72±2.87;PER=26.36±3.03,p<0.01) and small antral follicles (C=9.32±1.35;PER=17.64±2.33,p<0.01) and decrease in the number of primordial (C=11.72±1.37;PER=3.92±0.60,p<0.01) and Graafian follicles (C=1.84±0.21; PER=0.96±0.11,p<0.01), and corpus luteum (C=2.00±0.28;PER=0.80±0.31,p<0.01). The estradiol serum concentration was significantly higher (C=67.86±4.39;PER=83.29±2.68, p<0.05) while testosterone serum concentration did not show statistical difference (C=0.09±0.02;PER=0.11±0.01,p0.05) in the PER group. In relation to the receptors expression, maternal malnutrition led to a significant increase in the amount of FSHR (C=0.89±0.04;PER=1.07±0.03,p<0.05) and LHR (C=0.87±0.15;PER=1.33±0.08,p<0.05) transcripts and a significant decrease in the amount of AR (C=0.59±0.006;PER=0.13±0.080, p<0.05), ER (C=3.33±0.71;PER=0.74±0.50,p<0.05), ERβ1 (C=1.33±0.06;PER=0.49±0.36, p<0.05), and ERβ2 (C=3.28±0.60; PER=0.62±0.34,p<0.05) transcripts. In conclusion, perinatal maternal malnutrition can directly affect folliculogenesis at puberty probably as a consequence of changes in the ovarian expression of gonadotropins, androgen and estrogens isoforms receptors. Long-term sexual alterations could be expected in this experimental model, since a reduction in the primordial follicle number is observed that can result in a decrease in the reproductive lifetime and an earlier termination of breeding capacity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. S. Gardner, S. E. Ozanne, and K. D. Sinclair Effect of the early-life nutritional environment on fecundity and fertility of mammals Phil Trans R Soc B, November 27, 2009; 364(1534): 3419 - 3427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]